Tuukka Rask will start Thursday vs. Coyotes

With Anton Khudobin's hot streak seemingly done after a 10-of-14 showing in Monday's loss to the Predators, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy has confirmed that it'll be Tuukka Rask in the crease for Thursday's head-to-head with the visiting Coyotes.

This was probably always going to be the case given Rask’s recent run, as Rask appears to be on his first hot run of the season, with a two-game winning streak and stops on all but two of the 49 shots faced in those starts. But it was only bolstered by Rask's ability to shine in relief of Khudobin on Monday, with 10 saves on 11 shots against in a 33-minute outing.

Cassidy’s decision also shows that he’s committed to riding Rask for as long as he can (this will be Rask’s fourth start in the last five games), and that his continued success is more important to the team than giving Khudobin another kick at the can to get his own game back to where it needs to be and/or was at last month.

It’s also worth noting that the 30-year-old Rask has a 9-1-0 record, .941 save percentage, and one shutout in 10 career starts against the Coyotes.